STERNENSTAUB by MELOTRON Posted: 10.21.2003 4356 Views
TRACK LISTING
1. Sternenstaub
2. Der Anfang
3. Der Kosmonaut
4. Wunsch Mich Nicht Zuruck
5. Erwartungen
6. Immer Noch
7. Kein Morgen
8. Kein Problem
9. Manchmal
10. NGC 1005
11. Mediensturm
12. Das Letzte
LABEL:
Synthetic Symphony/SPV
RELEASED:
2003
MELOTRON
STERNENSTAUB
Since shaking off the 'And One Soundalike' tag that they were (unfairly, in my opinion) saddled with when they released their debut "Morderwerk" album in 1999 Melotron have gone on to become one of Europe's foremost synthpop bands, developing a recognisable style of their own that fuses pop sensibilties with a totally modern outlook. This latest album (which translates as "Stardust") continues this good work with another release that will surely serve to further cement the band's growing reputation.
In comparison to the previous release Weltfrieden this is slightly less varied with no guest appearances this time round although this is more than compensated by the quality of songs such as "Der Anfang", which follows the abstract/melodic overture-like title track opener and builds from it's initial laidback smokey feel into a powerful and pulsing piece with excellent vocals from Andy. His smooth style proves that the German language isn't only good for aggressive EBM, ably backed up by the increasing musical expertise of Edgar Slatnow and Kay Hildebrandt, fully utilising all that modern electronic instruments have to offer. "Kosmonaut" starts in an appropriately spacey/cosmic style before proving itself as an infectious mid-paced track. This 'cosmic' style is later expanded upon and taken to it's logical conclusion by "NGC 1005" which not only acts as an atmospheric instrumental break but proves that the band are able to describe just as much with their motifs and sounds (where they've always had an ear for the unexpected anyway!) as they are with their lyrics.
Those who like power and muscle in their music will go a bundle on the single "Kein Problem" with it's slight EBM sequencing and the brilliant "Kein Zuruck" which reminds me slightly of Mesh and is a winner from start to finish. Even the tracks that are initially more sedate, like the introspective ballad "Immer Noch" or the closing "Das Letzte", eventually unveil their full dynamic splendour in a manner fit to make your heart soar!
Melotron's musical well of ideas shows no sign of drying up with another stack of excellent songs on an album which is sure to be just the later step on their path to greatness.
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